Automatic fluid sample supply apparatus



June 12, 1962 J. ISREELI 3,038,340

AUTOMATIC FLUID SAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS Filed June 18, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 2 "S I 30 3F \m I j a; "'Ll' IH IIH llH H lflllfiIIIIWI lllfllllilllllllllllllilli'llHHIIIIIIHIJHI 22 255 I ALL um :l J;F 1

INVENTOR.

(he/r [area/z BY FM ZZLLQL I ATTORNEYS June 12, 1962 J. ISREELI3,038,340

AUTOMATIC FLUID SAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS Filed June 18, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet 2 BY 5am; EQM e ATTORN EYS June 12, 1962 J. ISREELI3,033,340

AUTOMATIC FLUID SAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS Filed June 18, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR. flai [Siva/'1' BY FM are #MM, 616;

ATTORNEYS June 12, 1962 J. ISREELI 3, 3

AUTOMATIC FLUID SAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS Filed June 18, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. BO

/.$'Z 146 I I 120 21 4 IL 122\. M m V 4 w 21a ILLUII 215 INVENTOR.

BY uxgzmva ATTORNEYS 35,638,340 Patented June 12, 1962 3,038,340AUTGMATZQ FLUID SAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS Jack Israeli, Tuclrahoe, N.Y.,assigzior, by inesne assignments, to Teclmieon Instruments Corporation,Chaimcey, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June 18, 1957, Ser. No.666,403 19 Claims. (Cl. 73-423) The present invention relates, ingeneral, to automatic feed devices and, in particular, to a device forsupplying liquid samples to an analyzing system.

A feed device of the type to which the present invention relates isdisclosed in the copending application of Leonard T. Skeggs, Serial No.547,087, filed November 16, 1955, now Patent No. 2,879,141, and assignedto the assignee hereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forautomatically feeding, in succession, a plurality of different liquidsamples, which apparatus is capable of feeding a greater number ofsamples per unit of time than was heretofore possible.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus having a dip or intaketube which operates to provide a precipitous immersion thereof into aholder of the liquid sample and a precipitous removal thereof from theholder so as to provide for higher speeds of operation of the apparatus.

Another object is to increase the capacity of the automatic feed devicewithout, however, increasing the diameter of the sample holder means.

A further object is the provision of an automatic feed device of thedescribed type in which it is possible to vary or to obtain differenttime relationships of the period of time that an intake tube is immersedin a sample holding well and the period of time that it is withdrawnfrom the well for immersion in a succeeding well, without the necessityof providing different well defining plates for the different timerelations or operating cycles. In this connection, it is a furtherobject to make provision for obtaining different time relationshipsrelative to the im mersion and removal time of the intake tube by themere operation of a control lever in the apparatus.

A still further object is to provide a generally simplified, improvedand highly efiicien-t device for the automatic feed in succession of aplurality of difierent liquid samples to a testing or analyzingapparatus therefor.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more fully understood from the following descriptionconsidered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplatedfor carrying out the invention:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a feed device pursuant to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the feed device;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 3-3of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4, and illustrates anotheroperating position of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4but showing the apparatus in another operating position thereof;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 10 -10 of FIG.4;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 11L1 of FIG.1, with the device illustrated in an- 5 other operating positionthereof; and

FIG. 12 is a wiring diagram of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, an automatic sample or liquidfeeding device, pursuant to the present invention, is generallyindicated by the reference numeral 20. Said device is especially usefulfor supplying a plurality of liquid samples, in succession, to anautomatic analyzing apparatus of the type illustrated in the co pendingapplication of Leonard T. Skeggs, Serial No. 330,211, filed January 8,1953, and now issued as Patent No. 2,797,149 and assigned to theassignee hereof. However, it will be understood that the utility of thedevice 20 is not limited to use with an automatic analyzing apparatus.

The feed device 20 comprises a rotary plate 22 having provision to holda plurality of samples, the plate being intermittently rotated relativeto a suction intake tube 24 through which the samples are fed orsupplied to the analyzing apparatus. It will be understood that thefluid is withdrawn through the intake tube 24 by means of a suitablepump, which may be of the type illustrated in Patent No. 968,599, toDupont, dated August 30, 1910, or the improved pump shown in thecopending applica-, tion of Andres Ferrari and myself, Serial No. 6 ,8filed October 22, 1954, now Patent No. 2,865,303, and assigned to theassignee hereof.

As here shown, the plate 22 is constituted by a circular member,preferably formed of a suitable plastic, and provided adjacent thecircumference thereof with a plurality of apertures or holes 26 arrangedin a circular row. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, each hole is providedwith a shoulder 28 whereby the hole is adapted to receive a receptacleor Well 36 for a fluid sample F.

The plate 22 is provided with a central mounting aperture 32 and isprovided, intermediate said aperture 32 and the outer apertures 26, withan inner row of apertures or holes 34-. The holes 34 are also arrangedin a circular row and are equal in number to the outer holes 26, eachhole 34 being in registry with an outer hole 26. Said holes 34 defineindexing means, as hereinafter described in detail. The plate 22 isprovided also with a circular recess or groove 36 intermediate the tworows of holes thereof. The groove 36 is utilized for mounting apreferably transparent cover disc 38 which is provided with threedepending legs 40 which extend into the groove 36. The cover 38 overliesand closes the tops of the various containers 36, provision being madeto retain the cover 38 against movement relative to the rotary plate 22,as hereinafter described in detail. Said cover 33 is provided with asingle aperture 42 which is in registry with the outer row of openings26 in the plate 22, whereby to permit the removal of the fluid in thevarious containers, as hereinafter described in detail.

The assembly constituted by the rotary plate 22 and the cover 33 ismounted on a suitable base or housing 44 which has provision forintermittently rotating the rotary plate 22. The operating mechanism forintermittently rotating the plate 22 is generally indicated by thereference numeral 46. Provision is made for a plate 48 which is suitablysecured, as by securing elements 50, to the inner surface of the upperwall 52 of housing 44 for mounting the operating mechanism 46.

The plate 22 is intermittently rotated through the medium of the shaftassembly 54. Said assembly comprises a shaft 56 which extends throughthe aperture 53 provided in the plate 48 and through an aperture 60provided in the top wall 52. The shaft 56 mounts a disc support 62 andan adaptor shaft 64, the latter extending through the aperture 32provided in the plate 22, and an enlarged central opening 43 provided inthe cover 38. The adaptor shaft 64 is bifurcated and is provided withthe pair of pivot pins 66 and 68 which are mounted by the bifurcationsthereof. The pivot pin 66 pivotally mounts a locking lever 70 and thepivot pin 68 mounts a clamping bar 72 and a leaf spring 74 whichresiliently biases the bar 72 for clockwise rotation viewing FIG. 3. Asupport disc 76, preferably formed of a suitable metal is seated in arecess 78 defined centrally of the undersurface of the plastic plate 22,being secured thereto as by securing elements 80.

The shaft assembly 54 is releasably connected to plate 22 by a clampingdisc 82. The disc 82 is centrally apertured, as at 84 for reception onthe shaft adaptor 64 when the locking handle 70 is raised from theposition illus trated thereof in FIG. 3 into vertical alignment with theadaptor shaft 64. This retracts the cam surface 86 of the locking handle70 from the clamping bar 72 the latter then being pivoted by the spring74 so that the free end 88 thereof lies within the bifurcated adaptorshaft 64. Consequently, with the handle 78 and the clamping part 72 sodisplosed, the clamping disc 82 may he slipped over the handle 70 andthrough the enlarged central opening 43 of the cover 38 for dispositionon the upper surface of the plate 22.

The disc 82 is provided with a lateral extension 90 which mounts anindexing pin 12 for projection through one of the indeXing apertures 34in the plate 22. The downwardly projecting portion 94 of the pin 92serves to operate a switch 96, mounted by the plate 48, to discontinuethe operation of the mechanism, as hereinafter described in detail. Thedisc also contains a suitable indicia constituted by the arrow 98 forproviding proper indexing of the plate 22. In this connection, it willbe understood that the pin 92 and the indicia 98 are so related thatwhen the indicia 98 points at the last of the sample containers 30 fromwhich the fluid sample is to be removed, the pin 92 will effect thetermination of the operation of the apparatus after the fluid in theindicated or designated last container has been withdrawn therefrom.

As previously indicated, the plate 22 is rotated intermittently in thedirection of the arrow 168 to present each container 30 in succession tothe previously mentioned opening 42 defined in the cover plate, throughwhich the sample fluids are removed by the intake tube 24. In order toretain the cover 38 fixed against movement relative t the plate 22 sothat the opening 42 of the cover Will always be in proper dispositionrelative to the tube 24 and in registry with an underlying well 30, thecover is provided with a lateral extension 102 having a slot 104 definedtherein. A detent pin 106, which is carried by the plate 48 and projectsdownwardly therefrom as well as upwardly therefrom through the top wall52 of the housing 44, is engaged in the slot 104 whereby to retain thecover in fixed disposition while the depending legs 48 thereof ride inthe moving groove 36 of the plate 22.

In order to effect the previously indicated intermittent stepwiserotations of the sample holding plate 22, as well as pivotal movement ofthe inlet tube 24 into and out of the sample container in position underthe cover aperture 42, provision is made for the previously mentionedoperating mechanism 46 contained within the housing 44. In thisconnection, it will be noted that the housing is closed at the bottomthereof by an open work screen 107 which is secured thereto, as at 188,and which mounts the legs 110. The operating or drive mechanism 46 isenergized by a conventional electric motor 112, provided with a heatdissipating fan 114, and operates through a conventional gear reductiontrain provided in the gear box 116 to drive the shaft 118. The motor 112is carried by a lower mounting plate 120 which is suitably secured to anupper mounting plate 122, by suitable securing elements extendingthrough the spacer sleeves 124. The upper plate 122 is suitably secured,by suitable securing elements extending through the spacers 126, to amounting plate 128 which is secured to the main mounting plate 48, as bythe securing elements 130 extending through spacer sleeves 132.

The shaft 118 operates through a conventional speed change mechanism,which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 134. Said speedchange mechanism is preferably of the type provided in a conventionalthree speed phonograph to provide for three different speeds ofoperation. The speed change mechanism includes a pinion assembly 136which is keyed to the driven shaft 118. Said assembly is provided with apinion gear 138 of minimum diameter, a pinion gear 140 of intermediatediameter, and a pinion gear 142 of maximum diameter. The pinion gearassembly meshes with an intermediate gear 144 which is mounted formovement vertically of the pinion gear assembly in a conventionalmanner, in response to the operation of the operating lever 146 toselectively mesh with one of the three pinion gears of the assembly 136to increase or decrease the speed of rotation of the gear 144, as may bedesired. It will be noted that the operating lever 146 extends through aslot 148 defined in the side wall 150 of the housing 44, for convenientaccess.

The intermediate gear 144 of the speed change assembly meshes with oneof the three gears 152, 154 or 156 of the stacked gear assembly 158,depending upon the vertical position of the intermediate gear 144, asset by the operation of the lever 146 which, as indicated in FIG. 4, hasthree different positions to provide for the three different speeds ofoperation of the speed change mechanisni 134. The stacked gears aremounted on a sleeve 160 which, in turn, is mounted on a shaft 162secured in the mounting plate 48, a leaf spring 164 constituting abottom retainer for the stacked gears. A Geneva lock 166 is also mountedby the sleeve 166 for rotation in response to the rotation of thestacked gear which is in mesh with the intermediate gear 144. Thestacked gears also mount a Geneva drive pin 168 Which projects upwardlyof the lock 166, and which, as best seen in FIG. 4, confronts a cut-awayor cutout portion 178 of the lock 166.

A Geneva gear 172 is mounted on a shaft 174 suitably carried by themounting plate 48. More specifically, provision is made for a piniongear 176 which is mounted for rotation on the shaft 174 and which, atthe lower end thereof, has a press fit with the Geneva gear 172.Therefore, it will be apparent that operation of the Geneva gear 17 2results in the operation or rotation of the pinion gear 176. The piniongear 176 is in mesh with an intermediate gear 178 provided on the shaft179 which is suitably mounted for rotation in the mounting plate 48. Theintermediate gear 17 8 is in mesh with the driven gear 180 which issecured, as at 181, to the previously mentioned main drive shaft 56 forrotating the sample holding plate 22.

The Geneva gear 172 is provided with the equally spaced open slots 182and with the arcuate portions 184 which extend between said slots. Thearrangement is such that each time that the pin 168 enters and engagesin a slot 182 in response to the rotation of the stacked gears 158, theGeneva gear is intermittently rotated. FIG. 5 illustrates the stackedgears rotating in the direction of the arrow 186 with a pin 168 about toleave a slot 182 after rotating the Geneva gear in an intermittent stepin a direction of the arrow 188. In FIG. 4, the broken line position ofthe pin 168 shows the latter in a slot 182 during the rotation of theGeneva gear. The arcuate periphery 190 of the locking member 166 servesto lock the Geneva gear against rotation between the intermittent stepsthereof, the arcuate portion 190 riding along the opposing complementaryarcuate surface 184 of the Geneva gear during the period after thewithdrawal of the pin 168 from the slot 182 and prior to its insertioninto the following slot 182. For example, as

shown in FIG. 5, the arcuate periphery 1% of the locking member inengagement with the opposing arcuate portion 184 of the Geneva gear asthe pin 163 is about to leave a slot 182. FIG. 4 shows the pin 168, infull line, completely retracted from the Geneva and the arcuate lockingportion 190 in sliding engagement with the Geneva gear to retain thelatter against movement. Therefore, it will be readily apparent that theintermittent movement of the Geneva gear 172 provides for intermittentstepwise movements of the sample holder plate 22 in a direction of thearrow 100 to withdrav' a container 30 from registry with the cover hole42 and to move the next container into registry with said hole.

The previously mentioned intake or inlet tube 24 is mounted for movementto and from the lowermost position thereof, as shown in full line inFIG. 8 and the uppermost position A thereof shown in broken line in saidfigure. The inlet tube 24 is formed of a suitable material, preferablypolyethylene, and is snaked through a rigid tubular member or sleeve 192which is downwardly curved, as at 194, so as to provide a naturalcurvature or configuration in the polyethylene tube 24, conforming tothe metallic tube 192, so that the free end of the polyethylene tube isalways disposed at a corner of the sample receptacle 30 in the operativeor lowermost position of the inlet tube, as best illustrated in FIG. 8.With the inlet tube 24 abutting a corner of the container 30, all of thefluid material F in the container can be withdrawn through the inlettube. The sleeve 192- has an additional outward curvature 196,substantially at right angles to the downward curvature 194 thereof, theinlet tube 24 extending from said curved portion 196 to a suitable pump,as previously indicated.

The tubular member 192 is mounted on a support 198 which, in turn, ismounted by a pivot 200. The pivot 200 is mounted for pivotal movement ina post 202 suitably secured to the top wall 52 of the housing, as at294. The support 198 extends through a slot 206 defined in the housingwall 52 whereby the support is free to pivot about the axis of the pivotZttt), as best illustrated in FIG. 8. Provision is made to releasablyretain the inlet tube 24 in its fully retracted condition, outwardly ofthe container 30. in this connection, provision is made for a pin 208mounted for movement in the post 202, transversely of the latter, to andfrom the full and broken line positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 9.The pin is provided at one end with a fingerpiece or knob 210 and at theother end with a grooved stop 212 which is complementary to the post orsupport 198. A compression spring 211 is seated on the pin between thepost 202 and the knob 210 thereof. It will be understood that with thetube 192 in the fully retracted position thereof, as indicated at A inFIG. 8, the pin 208 may be projected to the broken line position thereofwhereby to engage the support 198 in the grooved stop 212 to releasablyretain the support in its retracted position. Upon release of thesupport from the grooved detent 212, by a pivotal movement of thesupport in a clockwise position, beyond that indicated at A in FIG. 8,the support is released from the grooved detent and the pin is returnedto its inoperative disposition by the spring 211.

Provision is made to retract the inlet tube 24 from a container 3G, inwhich it is inserted, immediately prior to the start of the intermittentmovement of the plate 22 and to return the inlet tube to the followingreceptacle 3'9 as soon as the next receptacle is moved into position.Said movements of the inlet tube 24 during each dwell eriod of the plate22 are constituted by relatively precipitous reciprocatory movements toprovide a sharp introduction and a sharp break of the tube to and fromthe fluid withdrawing disposition thereof. .As hereafter described, itwill be noted that the mechanism which is operable to introduce theintake tube 24 into each of the series of containers 36 is operativelyconnected to said intake device to urge and positively move the latterfrom its retracted position to its operative position for the withdrawalof liquid from the receptacles during the dwell periods.

Said movement of the tube 24 is etfected by the previously identifiedpin 168 which also serves to operate the Geneva gear 172. Morespecifically, provision is made for a cam member 214 (FIG. 4) which ispivotally mounted at the undersurface of the mounting plate 48, as bythe pivot 215. At the free end thereof, the cam member 214 isinterconnected by the tension spring 216 with the lower end of thepreviously mentioned detent pin 166, as at 218. A wire link 220interconnects the free end of the cam member 214 and the bottom of thetube support element 198. With the cam member 214 in the full lineposition thereof shown in FIG. 4, the inlet tube 24 is inserted into thecontainer 30, as shown in FIG. 8. With the cam member 214 in theretracted or broken line position thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 4, thetube 192 is tilted to the broken line position A thereof shown in PEG.8, whereby the inlet tube 24 is withdrawn from the cover hole 42 duringthe movement of the underlying plate 22. The cam member 214 is providedwith an arcuate portion 222 which overlies the Geneva stop member 166when the tube 24 is inserted in the fluid 3%, as best shown in FIGS. 4and 5. With the stacked gears 15% moving in the direction of the arrow1% in FiGS. 4 and 5, it will be apparent that before the pin 168 engagesin a slot 132 of the Geneva gear 172, said pin will first strike the cammember 214, which is in the path of movement thereof and pivot thelatter from the full to the broken line position thereof as shown inFIG. 4, with the pin riding along the arcuate portion 222 during theperiod that it remains engaged in a slot 122, as shown in FIG. 6, andleaving said arouate portion as it leaves the Geneva slot to permit theretraction of the cam member 214 by the expanded spring 216. it "will beapparent that said movement of the cam member 214 Will result in thesharp or precipitate retraction of the inlet tube 24 from the insertedposition thereof to the fully retracted position thereof by theconsequent movement of the link 220 and retain said inlet tube 24 insaid retracted position thereof during the movement of the pin while inthe slot 182, during which time the plate 22 is intermittently rotatedso as to permit the return of the inlet tube 24 to its fluid in sertedposition when the pin disengages the Geneva gear slot at the terminationof the intermittent rotation of the Geneva gear and the plate 22. Saidreturn is accomplished in a precipitate manner by the contraction ofspring 216.

The foregoing operation of the cam member 214 by the pin 168 and itsreturn spring 216 provides for a sharp or precipitous up and downmovement of the inlet or dip tube 24 to provide a sharp point ofimmersion thereof into the underlying container 39 and a sharp removalthereof from said container. Further, it will be readily apparent thatthere is a time relationship between the operation of the Geneva gearand the clipping intervals of the inlet tube 24 whereby an increasedspeed of intermittent rotation of the Geneva 172, by shifting thepreviously described speed change mechanism to a higher speed, willresult in the withdrawal of a greater number of fluid samples per unitof time. Furthermore, Where it is desired to increase the amount offluid withdrawn for each sample, it is necessaiy only to increase thedepth of the wells or containers 30. Therefore, it will be readilyapparent that the time cycle of the inlet tube 24 moving into and out ofthe fluid containers 30* may be varied merely by shifting the operatingor control lever 146 of the speed change mechanism.

Pursuant to another aspect of the present invention, provision is madeto terminate the operation of the mechanism after the last container 30has been emptied of its fluid and to provide a warning to the attendantthat all of the samples have been removed from the feed plate 22. Inthis connection, provision is made for the previously mentioned cut-offswitch 96 provided with an operating element 226 (FIGS. 11 and 12) whichprojects through the upper wall 52 of the housing into the path ofmovement of the previously mentioned detent pin 92, said switch beingsuitably carried by the mounting plate 48. At the movement of the rotaryplate 22 after the last receptacle has been filled, as determined by thesetting of the previously mentioned indicia 98, the depending portion 94of the pin 92 engages the switch operating element 226 to open thenormally closed switch 96 so as to discontinue the operation of themotor 112. In this connection, reference is made to FIG. 12 wherein itwill be noted that the motor 112 is directly connected to one powerinput terminal 228 by the line 230 and is connected to another powerterminal 231 through the normally closed switch 96, a manual On-Oifpower switch 232, mounted on the upper Wall 52 of the housing 44-, and afuse 234. A pilot light 236 is connected in parallel with the motor 112between the lead 230 and a lead 238 between the switches 9d and 232.Provision is also made for a buzzer or alarm 240 which is connected fromone side thereof to the line 230 through a manual On-Oif switch 242, andwhich is connected from the other side thereof through a normally openswitch 244 to the line 238. The switches 96 and 244 are ganged forconcomitant operation as indicated at 246, by the operation of theoperating element 226 by the pin 92.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that when the switch 232is closed, the motor 112 is energized, as is also the pilot light 236.The mechanism then begins to operate, as previously described. It willalso be understood that at the start of the operation, the buzzer switch242 is also closed but the buzzer is de-energized due to the normallyopen switch 244. After the last sample has been withdrawn from the plate222', the next movement of the plate brings the switch operating element226 into engagement with the depending portion 94 of the pin 92. Thiscauses the simultaneous opening of the switch 96 and the closing of theswitch 244. The opening of the switch 96 causes the motor to bede-energized and the closing of the switch 244 energizes the alarm orbuzzer 240 so that the attendant knows that all of the samples have beenfed from the plate 22'. The buzzer may then be de-energized by openingthe manual switch 242. The On-Oif switch 232 should now be open so thatthe plate 22 can be rotated to a desired start position thereof and thevarious receptacles thereof filled. Thereafter, the switches 232 and 242are closed and the operation may be recommenced.

It will be understood that the number of liquid specimens on the supportor receptacle-carrier plate 22 may be less than the receptacle capacityof said support and that said plate may be readily turned manually, whenclamp 82 is released, to bring the first liquid-containing receptacleinto vertical registry with tube 24 at the liquid off-take station atwhich opening 42 in the cover 38 is located. In that position of thereceptacle carrier 22, the indexing and clamping disc 82' is turnedmanually in relation to said carrier to the position at which theindicating pointer 98 is in radial registry with the lastliquidcontaining receptacle 30 on the carrier so that pin 92 will be inposition to actuate switch 96 to discontinue operation of the motor andto sound the alarm as soon as the last liquid receptacle is emptied bythe pump. After the initial positions of the receptacle carrier 22 anddisc 82 are thus adjusted, cam handle 70 is operated to press disc 82against the upper surface of carrier 22 and thus clamp the metal disc 76thereof to the surface of shaft assembly 54 which supports and rotatessaid carrier.

It will be noted that the positioning of the inlet end of the flexibletube 24 at the edge of the bottom of the liquid receptacle 30, close tothe side wall of the receptacle, as shown in FIG. 8, and describedabove, is due to the compound curvature or configuration of tube guide192, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, namely the curvature more or lessgenerally in a vertical plane, in which the part 194- is located, andthe curvature of the lateral part 196.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments 'of myinvention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in theidea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a member adapted tohold a plurality of liquid samples in a row thereon, an intake tubemounted relative to said row for pivotal movement, a stationary coverdevice for said member overlying said samples, said cover having anopening in registry with said row, means for intermittently moving saidmember to intermittently position each sample under said cover opening,and means operable during each dwell period of said member to firstpivotally insert said tube through said opening into the underlyingsample to withdraw said sample from said member and then to pivotallywithdraw said tube from said opening.

2. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a rotary memberadapted to hold a plurality of liquid samples in a circular row thereon,an intake tube, means mounting said intake tube laterally of said row, astationary cover device for said member overlying said samples, saidcover having an opening in registry with said row, means forintermittently rotating said member to intermittently position eachsample under said cover opening, and means operable during each dwellperiod of said member for first inserting said tube through said openinginto the underlying sample to withdraw said sample from said member andthen for withdrawing the tube from said opening.

3. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a rotary memberadapted to hold a plurality of liquid samples in a circular row thereon,an intake tube mounted laterally of said row, a drive mechanism operableto intermittently rotate said member to intermittently position eachsample relative to said intake tube, said intake tube being mounted forpivotal movement, means operable by said drive mechanism for pivotingsaid intake tube into and out of each positioned sample to withdraw thelatter from said rotary member, and clamping means for releasablyconnecting said rotary member to said drive mechanism, said rotarymember having an indexing aperture for each sample, and said clampingmeans including a clamping element operatively connected to said drivemechanism and engageable with one of said indexing apertures in theclamped condition of said rotary member to provide actuating means forstopping the operation of said drive mechanism.

4. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a rotary memberadapted to hold a plurality of liquid samples in a circular row thereon,an intake tube mounted laterally of said row, a drive mechanism operableto intermittently rotate said member to intermittently position eachsample relative to said intake tube, said intake tube being mounted forpivotal movement, and mechanism operable by said drive mechanism forpivoting said intake tube into and out of each positioned sample towithdraw the latter from said rotary member, and clamping means forreleasably connecting said rotary member to said drive mechanism, saidrotary member having an indexing aperture for each sample, and saidclamping means including a clamping element operatively connected tosaid drive mechanism and provided with a pin engageable with one of saidindexing apertures in the clamped condition of said rotary member toprovide actuating means for stopping the operation of said drivemechanism.

5. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a rotary memberadapted to hold a plurality of liquid samples in a circular row thereon,an intake tube mounted laterally of said row, a drive mechanism operableto intermittently rotate said member to intermittently position eachsample relative to said intake tube, said intake tube being mounted forpivotal movement, and mechanism operable by said drive mechanism forpivoting said intake tube into and out of each positioned sample towithdraw the latter from, said rotary member, and clamping means forreleasably connecting said rotary member to said drive mechanism, saidrotary member having an indexing aperture for each sample, and saidclamping means including a clamping element operatively connected tosaid drive mechanism and provided with a pin engageable with one or"said indexing apertures, and switch means operable by said pin forterminating the operation of said drive mechanism.

6. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a rotary memberadapted to hold a plurality of liquid samples in a circular row thereon,an intake tube mounted laterally of said row, a drive mechanism operableto intermittently rotate said member to intermittently position eachsample relative to said intake tube, said intake tube being mounted forpivotal movement, and mechanism operable by said drive mechanism forpivoting said intake tube into and out of each positioned sample towithdraw the latter from said rotary member, and clamping means forreleasably connecting said rotary member to said drive mechanism, saidrotary member having an indexing aperture for each sample, and saidclamping means including a clamping element operatively connected tosaid drive mechanism and provided with a pin engageable with one of saidindexing apertures, and switch means operable by said pin forterminating the operation of said drive mechanism, and indicia providedon said clamping element for registry with a predetermined sample insaid row, whereby to register said pin for engagement in a predeterminedindexing aperture to terminate the operation of said drive mechanismafter the withdrawal of said predetermined sample by said intake tube.

7. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a rotary memberadapted to hold a plurality of liquid samples in a circular row thereon,an intake tube mounted laterally of said row, a drive mechanism operableto intermittently rotate said member to intermittently position eachsample relative to said intake tube, said intake tube bein" mounted forpivotal movement, and mechanism operable by said drive mechanism forpivoting said intake tube into and out of each positioned sample towithdraw the latter from said rotary member, and clamping means forreleasably connecting said rotary member to said drive mechanism, saidrotary member having an indexing aperture for each sample, and saidclamping means including a clamping element operatively connected tosaid drive mechanism and provided with a pin engageable with one of saidindexing apertures, and switch means operable by said pin forterminating the operation of said drive mechanism, and indicia providedon said clamping element for registry with a predetermined sample insaid row, whereby to register said pin for engagement in a predeterminedindexing aperture to terminate the operation of said drive mechanismafter the withdrawal of said predetermined sample by said intake tube,and a normally de-energized alarm device which is energized in responseto said termination of operation of said drive mechanism.

8. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a support for aliquid receptacle, a tube holder mounted for pivotal movement toprojected and retracted positions for moving a flexible tube into andout of the receptable for withdrawing liquid therefrom, said tube holderhaving a configuration, to which portions of said flexible tube conform,for directing the inlet end of said tube to the edge of the bottom ofthe receptacle close to the side wall thereof for maximum withdrawal ofliquid from the receptacle, and means operatively connected to said tubeholder for pivotally moving said flexible tube into and out of saidreceptacle at predetermined times.

9. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a support for aliquid receptacle, tube holder mounted for movement to projected andretracted positions for moving a flexible tube into and out of thereceptable for withdrawing liquid therefrom, said tube holder beingcurved vertically and laterally providing a configuration, to whichportions of said flexible tube conform, for directing the inlet end ofsaid tube to the edge of the bottom of the receptacle close to the sidewall thereof for maximum withdrawal of liquid from the receptacle, andmeans operatively connected to said tube holder for pivotally movingsaid flexible tube into and out of said receptacle at predeterminedtimes.

19. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a carrier for aseries of receptacles, means for withdrawing the contents of thereceptacles, means for moving said carrier and said Withdrawing means inrelation to each other for positioning the withdrawing means in apredetermined relation to each of said receptacles in successsion atpredetermined times with intervening dwell periods, and means forpivotally moving said withdrawing means into and out of each receptacleduring the dwell period between successive first mentioned relativemovements of said receptacle carrier and said Withdrawing means, saidcarrier having a cover and an aperture therein for said withdrawingmeans.

11. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a carrier for aseries of receptacles, means for withdrawing the contents of thereceptacles, said withdrawing means being mounted for pivotal movement,means for moving said carrier and said withdrawing means in timedrelation to each other for positioning the withdrawing means inpredetermined relation to each of said receptacles in succession atpredetermined times with intervening dwell periods, means for pivotallymoving said Withdrawing means into and out of each of said receptaclesduring the dwell period between successive relative movements of saidreceptacle carrier and said withdrawing means, and means for varying thespeed of said carrier and the speed of movement of said withdrawingmeans into and out of said receptacles in timed relation to each other.

12. Apparatus for the character described, comprising a carrier for aseries of receptacles, means for withdrawing the contents of saidreceptacles therefrom in succession, means for relatively moving saidcarrier and said withdrawing means intermittently for disposing saidwithdrawing means and the receptacles in successive operative relationfor the successive withdrawing operations during successivepredetermined intervals, means including an electric motor for actuatingsaid moving means, switch control means for controlling the operation ofsaid actuating means, and adjustable indexing means operable in responseto a predetermined number of relative movements of said carrier and saidwithdrawing means to operate said switch control means to interrupt theoperation of said actuating means, said adjustable indexing meanscomprising a series of indexing apertures in said carrier, and meansremovably mounted on said carrier and having a pin insertable into anyone of said apertures engageable with said switch control means for theoperation thereof after said predetermined number of relative movementsof said carrier.

13. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a carrier for aseries of receptacles, means for withdrawing the contents of saidreceptacles therefrom in succession, means mounting said withdrawingmeans laterally of said carrier, Geneva gear means for moving saidcarrier intermittently to present said receptacles in succession at theposition of said withdrawing means with a dwell period of the receptacleat said position, and means operatively connected to said Geneva gearmeans for urging snsasso l l and positively projecting said withdrawingmeans into the receptacle at said position and retracting it therefromduring the dwell period.

14. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a carrier for aseries of receptacles, a rotary support for said carrier for turning thelatter about a vertical axis, means for releasably securing said carrieron said support, actuating means for intermittently turning saidsupport, means for withdrawing the contents of said recept aclestherefrom in succession during the successive intervals between saidintermittent turning movements of said support, and indexing means forcontrolling the number of intermittent movements of said carrier by saidactuating means, said indexing means comprising a member mounted forrotation about said axis, means for releasably clamping said member in apredetermined adjusted set position for rotation by said carrier, anelectric motor for operating said actuating means, a switch forcontrolling the operation of said motor, and a connection between saidindexing means and said switch for actuating the latter to stop saidmotor after a predetermined number of movements of said carrieraccording to the set position of said indexing means.

15. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a rotary memberadapted to hold a plurality of liquid samples in a circular row thereon,an intake tube, means mounting said intake tube laterally of said row, adrive mechanism operable to intermittently position each sample relativeto said intake tube, said intake tube being mounted for pivotalmovement, mechanism operable by said drive mechanism for urging andpositively pivoting said intake tube during each dwell period of saidrotary member first into a positioned sample to withdraw the latter fromsaid rotary member and then out of said positioned sample, and clampingmeans for releasably con necting said rotary member said drivemechanism.

'16. Feed apparatus for supplying liquid samples to an analyzingapparatus or the like, said feed apparatus comprising means havingprovision to hold a plurality of samples in a row thereon, a sampleintake device mounted laterally outwardly of said row and movablelaterally of said holding means, means to intermittently move saidholding means and said intake device relatively to position successivesamples at said intake device, mechanism operable in timed relation withsaid moving means for urging and positively moving said intake deviceinto and out of said samples to withdraw said samples from said holdingmeans to supply the samples for treatment for analysis, and means foractuating said mechanism.

17. Feed apparatus for supplying liquid samples to an analyzingapparatus or the like, said feed apparatus comprising a rotary memberhaving provision to hold a. plurality of samples in a row thereon, aSample intake device mounted laterally of said member and movablelaterally and vertically in relation thereto, means to intermittentlyrotate said member to carry said samples in succession to said intakedevice, mechanism operable under the control of said rotating means tourge and positively move said intake device into and out of said samplesto withdraw the latter from said member to supply the samples fortreatment for analysis, and means for actuating said mechanism.

18. Feed apparatus for supplying a series of liquid samples to ananalysis apparatus or the like, comprising a holder for a series ofliquid sample receptacles arranged in a row, an intake device for thetransmission of the samples to the analysis apparatus movably mountedlaterally outwardly of the holder for movement from a retracted positionin relation to said holder to an operative position for the withdrawalof the liquid samples from the receptacles, said intake device having aninlet end which is positioned in the receptacles in said operativeposition of the device, said holderand said intake device beingrelatively movable in one direction to position the inlet end of theintake device in the receptacles for the sample-transmission operationand in an opposite direction following the sample-transmissionoperation, said holder and said intake device being also relativelymovable in the direction of the row of receptacles, mechanism forintermittently moving said holder and said intake device in relation toeach other in said direction of the row of receptacles to relativepositions for the sampletransmission operation from each of thereceptacles, and mechanism operatively connected to said intake deviceto urge and positively move the latter from said retracted position tosaid operative position for the withdrawal of liquid from thereceptacles during each of a plurality of dwell periods of said holdingmeans and said intake device during said intermittent relative movementthereof, said last mentioned mechanism being also operable for movingsaid intake device automatically from said operative position to saidretracted position thereof.

19. Feed apparatus for supplying a series of liquid samples to ananalysis apparatus or the like, comprising a holder for a series ofliquid sample receptacles arranged in a row, an intake device for thetransmission of the samples to the analysis apparatus movably mountedlaterally outwardly of the holder for movement from a retracted positionin relation to said holder to an operative position for the withdrawalof the liquid samples from the receptacles, means for rcmovablypositioning said holder in the apparatus in relation to said intakedevice, said intake device having an inlet end which is positioned inthe receptacles in said operative position of the intake device, saidholder and said intake device being relatively movable in one directionto position the inlet end of the intake device in the receptacles forthe sample-transmission operation and in an opposite direction followingthe sample-transmission operation, said holder and said intake devicebeing also relatively movable in the direction of the row ofreceptacles, mechanism for intermittently moving said holder and saidintake device in relation to each other in said direction of the row ofreceptacles to relative positions for the sample-transmission operationfrom each of the receptacles, and mechanism operatively connected tosaid intake device independently of said holder to urge and move thelatter positively from said retracted position to said operativeposition for the withdrawal of liquid from the receptacles during eachof a plurality of dwell periods of said holding means and said intakedevice during said intermittent relative movement thereof, said lastmentioned mechanism being also operable for moving said intake deviceautomatically from said operative position to said retracted positionthereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS454,997 Fowler June 30, 1891 897,170 Spinelli Aug. 25, 1908 1,742,871North Ian. 7, 1930 1,767,820 Tetro June 24, 1930 2,020,350 BertschingerNov. 12, 1935 2,386,152 Wahl Oct. 2, 1945 2,562,815 Oscroft July 31,1951 2,604,249 Gorham July 22, 1952 2,740,081 McKay et a1. Mar. 27, 19562,879,141 Skeggs Mar. 24, 1959

